England all out for 170 in first innings of Women’s Ashes

MELBOURNE: In the first women’s test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1949, Australia faced off against England in the only test of the Women’s Ashes. England batted first and were able to make 170 runs before their last wicket fell.

Australia dominated early with the ball. In the very first over, England opener Maia Bouchier was caught behind by Beth Mooney on a delivery from Kim Garth that took a thick edge. Bouchier only made two runs off the three deliveries she played.

Not long after, Tammy Beaumont fell on a delivery from Darcie Brown that struck the England opener on the knee roll. The lbw was given and no review was used. Beaumont made eight runs before she was sent off.

England skipper Heather Knight was the next to be sent off. She fell in the 16th over as Garth got her second wicket of the innings with an lbw. Garth’s delivery made its way past the inside edge of Knight’s bat and struck her front pad.

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Sophia Dunkley and Nat Sciver-Brunt then brought some stability to the innings, as their partnership put 50 much needed runs on the board. However, that came to an end in the 39th over as Dunkley was dismissed on a delivery from Alana King that was chipped right back to her for the catch.

Ten overs later and King had her second wicket of the innings, dismissing Danni Wyatt-Hodge on a delivery that was caught by Phoebe Lichfield at silly point. Amy Jones was next to leave the field, and it was Gardner, smashing the top of off stump.

King was back on the attack in the next over, dismissing Sophie Ecclestone on a delivery caught by Garth. Soon after, King had her fourth wicket of the game, as she bowled Nat, who had made the largest total for England, scoring 51 runs off the 129 deliveries she played.

Lauren Filer was sent off thanks to a fantastic catch by Georgia Voll, on a delivery that gave Brown her second wicket of the day. Lauren Bell was the last to fall for England. She was run out in the 72nd over due to a call for a run when there was never one to be had.

England were all out for 170 runs in the 71.4 overs they played. Australia are now looking to capitalise on their superb bowling effort with some disciplined batting.

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